Grosser Königsstuhl - ascent Mehrl Hut

Dr. J. Mehrl Hütte - Stubennock - Sauereggnock - Seenock - Königstuhlscharte - Gr. Königstuhl - Königstuhlscharte - Rosanintal - Dr. J. Mehrl Hütte

Walking time 5 hours
Altitude difference
 800 metres (with opposing ascent)
Difficulty
 medium
Hiking map Freytag & Berndt 221 (Nockalm Road)

The Große Königstuhl may not be the highest of the Nockbergs, but it is certainly one of the most impressive summits between Innerkrems and Ebene Reichenau. All of the trails around the Große Königstuhl must be taken by those who wish to hike through the gentle expanse of the Nockbergs. Many routes lead up this 2,336-metre border mountain, which is shared more or less equally by the three provinces of Styria, Carinthia and Salzburg. The richly varied circuit hike from the Dr. Mehrl Hut runs back and forth between Salzburg and Carinthia. A classic opportunity for cross-border fans.


The Route

The imposing Dr. Mehrl Alpine Association Hut in Schönfeld in Lungau is a favourable starting point at 1,730 metres. The trail on the other side of the road leads into the Rosanin Valley, and trail 125 turns off to the right a little further on.

The remains of the historic mine is easy to recognise and as specially constructed Miners' Study Trail shows a great many interesting details. The iron ore mined here was smelted in the blast furnace that still exists today in Bundschuh, and processed further in Mauterndorf.

The trail slowly emerges from the spruce- and larch-covered flanks of the mountain to the forest-free zone, and after a short, steep stretch leads up to the inviting and bumpy Stubennock (2,092m).

More or less on the border of the provinces of Salzburg and Carinthia, one continues further with a series of marvellous views and short opposing ascents over the Sauereggnock (2,240m), the Vogelsangberg (2,207m) and the Seenock (2,266m) to the Friesenhalshöhe (2,246m).

Following a short descent into the Königstuhlscharte, there are really no further Nocks on the trail: after a final half-hour walk, you can take a rest on the majestic Großen Königstuhl (2,336m) and enjoy the famous view. The descent then leads back into the Königstuhlscharte, but one then follows trail 126 down into the Rosanin Valley. Initially somewhat steep, one passes the silted Lake Rosanin in a pleasant alpine-meadow and nature-conservation area.

Especially notable are the meander in the Rosanin Valley, the result of glacier activity during the Ice Age and the very slight gradient. The broad alpine-meadow trail finally ends opposite the Mehrl Hut.

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